Struggling as a Villain

Chapter 2: Chapter 1- Sudden request

Richard Scarlette was frozen in shock at his place as he stared at the golden screen floating in front of his eyes.

When he raised his hand, his hand went past through the screen—further confirming that he wasn't hallucinating right now. A system, just like those novels he used to read, awakened just after Richard realized his identity.

'What a cliche set-up....' Richard frowned as he looked at the system message again and contemplated.

If this all is true, which seemed to be most likely, then accepting the system seemed to be disadvantageous for him. He has seen many systems in those novels imposing tasks and inflicting severe punishment upon failures. One of those systems directly states 'Finish the task or die like a dog'.

Richard doesn't know how people liked such novels.

[Before the Host decides whether to accept the System or not, the System would like to list some features and advantages.]

Richard raised his brows. What was this? Marketing?

[The world the Host is aware of, isn't the same as this one. In the final battle against the King of Dead, the Protagonist had to sacrifice his life.]

Richard frowned deeply at that. This wasn't something he expected.

The novel he read in his last life, clearly stated that after a lot of struggle and sacrifice, the King of the Dead was finally eradicated from the world, and no one from the main cast died.

And in the end, they lived a happy life. The end.

Then....how come this System was stating something differently?

[The Host must be confused but this is how the world works. The King of the Dead was too strong to be defeated by some mortal beings. And as a repercussion of sealing the Demon Lord, the Protagonist died.]

Richard interjected, "Then...how does this world still exist? Sealing that deity-class demon wouldn't do any good. Wait...are we in the past and the story hasn't begun?"

Richard suddenly came to a conclusion which sounded absurd to his ears. However, his speculation was on point,

[Indeed, host. After the Emissary of Light—the Protagonist—was defeated the God of Fortune mourned as their last hope to save this world and disaster befell the heavens with the downfall of the Protagonist. That's why, the Goddess of Fate allowed this time reversal.]

Richard was having a hard time believing in this all...however, for now, he didn't outrightly reject the system and further asked,

"Then...do I need to become stronger and support the Protagonist so he can defeat the final boss?" That seemed the most probable conclusion of all the explanations he had heard until now from the system.

However,

[Saving the world or not, is entirely in the hands of the Host. The System would be more focused on guiding a safe life for the Host.]

Richard asked in confusion, "But why do I need protection? I just won't be a little prick and stay away from the Protagonist's way?"

As she reached him, Richard maintained a composed front and asked her, "What is it?"

Hearing his voice, the maid straightened her back and tried to stand properly but her rough breathing turned her attempt into an utter failure.

"Young master...and envoy arrived from Count Cravenford's family and delivered this letter for you. I asked them to stay a little but it seemed the envoy was told explicitly by their master to return immediately after delivering the letter."

Richard's brows knitted close. This was... somewhat rude. Thankfully, the Duchess didn't hear about it or this could have become problematic.

Count Cravenford is not only lower in rank, but also, Duchess Scarlette—Richard's mother—and Count William Cravenford were on good terms. Most prominently, Count William's daughter was one of the heroines and engaged to Richard.

"You may go." The maid bowed upon being commanded before she walked away.

Emily Cravenford—the main reason why Richard was so hateful toward the Protagonist. The reason why Richard always wanted to become better than the Protagonist. And also, she is the reason for his demise as well.

From what Richard remembered, Emily never had contacted him on her own initiative before and even in the novel he read, it was clearly stated that Emily kept her distance from Richard because of his rude personality.

Then how come this letter all of a sudden arrived from the same Emily?

'Does it mean...the System isn't lying?' Richard had woken up in this world just an hour ago so there was no chance his action could have altered the plot.

'No...I shouldn't land on a conclusion...' Deciding to check the content of the scroll first, Richard removed the seat and slowly unfolded the scroll.

[Sir Richard,

I trust this letter finds you in good health. I wish to invite you to a meeting over tea at my family's manor on the morrow, at the hour of three in the afternoon. There are matters regarding our engagement that require our discussion.

I look forward to your presence.

Emily Cravenford.]

Now...this was something unexpected.

In general, Emily is the type of person who follows her father's words as a command and does whatever he asks her to. However here, it was clearly stated that it was Emily who wanted to talk about engagement.

This was definitely something that shouldn't have been happening.

'So...should I accept the System?'

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A/N:- Yeeeeees.